Importance of Game Planning
I recently had the pleasure of delivering an RFU Advanced CPD in Game-planning, the content was excellent as was the contribution by the group. What I found interesting was the way modern Game-planning has changed very little to Warfare Planning of 500BC...apart from the odd castle!
Here's Brian Smith on his coaching philosophy beliefs, similar thoughts are echoed by Sun Tzu around 2500 years ago!
Underpinning some of the questionable performances by England was the confused approach to their opposition, also maybe what England were good at. Obviously Player Profiling is key to understanding the things our players can and cannot do - this then determines some of strategic thinking and game planning. Knowing yourself/the team is an expectation of ALL coaches - knowing the opposition is probably much harder for Grassroots coaches but not England.
Prepare your players the right way and you can get them to understand the quote below (Sun Tzu, The Art of War) - fix them into a set game plan and you get the French game plan where they ran at Bastareaud - rather than around him.
"Avoid where the enemy is strong, strike where they are weak"
Here's a fun game to help improve offloading and footwork skills, both of which cannot be coached enough when facing a bigger opponent!
Final Word
Do not just use brute strength - too many teams are ready for this and cope with it, be SMART and coach your players the core skills from a young age.
"First lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with strategy but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured" - Sun Tzu, The Art of War.
If you are looking to set up a school or club account with RCD then please get in touch with info@rugbycoachingdrills.com
